Able Friend hailed as next Silent Witness after Stewards’ Cup stroll

Able Friend hailed as next Silent Witness after Stewards’
Cup stroll

Able Friend could set out to conquer the world, with options in Dubai, Japan and England (Hong Kong Jockey Club) After Hong Kong’s star miler Able Friend (Shamardal) jogged home in Sunday’s Stewards’ Cup (HK-G1) without breaking a sweat, or taking a deep breath, his trainer John Moore paid him the ultimate compliment — comparing him to Hong Kong’s legendary win machine Silent Witness. “I do think we’ve seen today that we have another Silent Witness here in Hong Kong,” Moore said. “Silent Witness went to Japan and proved himself, but for what Able Friend’s done so far, I think the world will stand up and take note of this horse and look forward to seeing him in an overseas campaign. We’re lucky to have him here.” Regular rider Joao Moreira was likewise unstinting in his praise of Hong Kong’s latest phenom. “He was even better today,” Moreira said, comparing Sunday’s performance to Able Friend’s obliteration of the December 14 Hong Kong Mile (HK-G1) last time out. “The pace didn’t suit him, they went slow up front, but he showed that he has a better turn of foot than any horse in the race. “I’m just a lucky boy to be the one sitting on top of him today because he would have won with any other jock on top.

“The way he won the international last month was also very impressive, so
it’s hard to say whether that race or this was the easiest win but today was
very impressive, and an easy win, too.

“This type of horse, you don’t have to hit them, they know how to run
themselves, so it’s hard to say how much more he has inside because I never hit
him, I don’t have to. He’ll keep on winning, the way he’s going.”

Confidently handled by Moreira, Able Friend loped along toward the rear as
Beauty Flame (Footstepsinthesand) did his level best to steal the race. But Able
Friend was simply too good, and brushed them all aside under a hand ride to
finish the metric mile in 1:33 2/5 on the good to firm turf.

Beauty Flame held second from Rewarding Hero (Exceed and Excel), with defending champion Blazing
Speed (Dylan Thomas) fourth. Ambitious Dragon (Pins), Gold-Fun (Le Vie dei
Colori) and Glorious Days (Hussonet) were notable also-rans.

Moore hailed Able Friend as superior to his former standout Viva Pataca.

“I’d have to rate him number one, in front of Viva Pataca,” the horseman
said of Able Friend, who now sports a career mark of 15-9-4-1. “The way he won today showed everyone around the world and in Hong Kong
that he’s the best miler, but he’s got to go overseas to prove himself. On the
local scene, people will always have their doubts.”

Both Moore and Moreira would like to see Dubai as an upcoming port of call.

“My personal opinion would be to go to Dubai,” Moore said. “It’s a 10-day
turnaround and it’s just easy there and easy back. I will be recommending that
to (owner) Dr (Cornel) Li. We’ll have lunch in the next 10 days and we’ll sit
down and toss up the pros and cons of US$6 million.”

Li, however, has previously identified the June 7 Yasuda Kinen (Jpn-G1) or
Royal Ascot as his preferred international goals.

“Dubai would be the best place to go, in my opinion, but that’s the owners’
call,” Moreira said. “Wherever they go with the horse, I will be very pleased to
stay sitting on top of him.”

Peniaphobia (left) is eyeing the Dubai Golden Shaheen (Hong Kong Jockey Club) Moreira nearly nicked the previous race on the card, the Centenary Sprint Cup (HK-G1) on Bundle of Joy (Magic Albert), only to have Peniaphobia (Dandy Man) nab him in the shadow of the post. Most recently a gallant second in the December 14 Hong Kong Sprint (HK-G1) versus his elders, the newly turned four-year-old was cutting back to a trip shorter than ideal. It was no surprise that he was caught for speed as defending champion Amber Sky (Exceed and Excel) led the way from the pressing Bundle of Joy. Amber Sky’s lack of fitness haunted him in the closing stages, and he dropped back to last. He was subsequently found to have bled and exited the race lame in his left hind. Bundle of Joy inherited command and tried to hold on, but Peniaphobia began to gain traction for Douglas Whyte. The further they went, the stronger Peniaphobia got, and he forced his head in front on the line. The Tony Cruz pupil sped about five furlongs in :55 2/5. “It always was going to be awkward from gate 1, but this horse is good enough to always help you out with problems,” Whyte said. “He came out of the gate and within 150m I was tracking Amber Sky, and I couldn’t believe it myself. But Joao was really cantering outside Amber Sky and I had to get off Amber Sky’s back pretty quickly after the junction, he wasn’t helping me anymore.

“I had to get hold of my guy a lot earlier than Joao did, but my horse has
shown tenacity and fight and the pure 1200m runner was coming out in the end. He
was gaining, whereas Bundle Of Joy was folding up.”

Peniaphobia could switch to dirt for a tilt at the Dubai Golden Shaheen
(UAE-G1).

“I’ve entered him in the Dubai Golden Shaheen,” Cruz said. “It’s a 1200m race
and he’s more of a 1200m horse than a 1000m horse. The race is the opposite
direction (left-handed), that’s the only worry. I’m not afraid of the dirt track
there. I prefer to go for that than the 1000m (Al Quoz Sprint [UAE-G1] on
turf).”

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com